Thermo Electron Corporation

Tc1 LLC

Thermedics Inc.

Thoratec Corporation

The United States of America

Tci Incorporated

The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of Health

Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc.

Tmca Foundation Inc.

Victor L Poirier

Benedict D Daly

Kurt A Dasse

John T Keiser

Scott M Epstein

Warren C Clay

Robert F Lynch

Thomas R Salvo

Stanley D Buczak

Mark A Bowen

William J Robinson

Blood pump systems configured for weaning a patient the blood pump system are described. A blood pump system includes an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, an outflow conduit pressure sensor, and a controller. The controller controls operation of the blood pump over a first period to provide a first level of support. Subsequent to the first period, the controller controls operation of the blood pump over a second period to provide a second level of support that is less than the first level of support. The controller monitors the outflow conduit pressure during the second period of time. In response detecting a decrease in the pressure of blood within the outflow conduit, the controller controls operation of the blood pump over a third period of time to provide a third level of circulatory support that is greater than the second level of circulatory support.

Prevention of aortic valve fusion

Materials and methods related to blood pump systems are described. These can be used in patients to, for example, monitor arterial pressure, measure blood flow, maintain left ventricular pressure within a particular range, avoid left ventricular collapse, prevent fusion of the aortic valve in a subject having a blood pump, and provide a means to wean a patient from a blood pump.

Blood flow meter

A blood pump provides a mechanism to prevent excessive growth of tissue at the transition zone between a smooth blood contacting surface and a textured blood contacting surface. The blood pump includes a blood flow channel having a textured surface, a smooth surface adjacent to the textured surface, and a rotor positioned within the blood flow channel. The rotor includes at least one impeller blade that defines a sweep when the rotor turns. The impeller blade is designed to cut off a portion of a biologic lining as it grows from the textured surface into the sweep of the impeller blade.

Control of tissue growth in textured blood-contacting surfaces

A multi-lumen catheter for independent delivery and withdrawal of fluids having an improved leading end to minimize stasis and an improved coupling for connection to externally located infusion and withdrawal tubes. The improved leading end has an ellipsoidally shaped tip with a smooth, uninterrupted surface and, in close proximity to the tip, a port or ports evenly spaced along the length of each lumen in staggered relation between each lumen. The improved coupling is a generally L-shaped, implantable transition device bonded to a percutaneous access device. The overall conformation of the multi-lumen catheter may be either a 'U-shape' or an upright 'Z-shape.' Externally located infusion and withdrawal tubes are in fluid connection with an epidermal end of the transition device and a multi-lumen tube fits snugly over nipples at a subcutaneous end of the transition device.

Multi-lumen catheter coupling

Disclosed is a percutaneous access device (PAD) for long-term skin penetration and use as an access port in the body of a patient. The buttonlike device includes a flat skirt for subdermal anchoring of the PAD and a neck through which a tube may extend for transmission of materials to or from the body. A two-stage porous bed covering the skirt and at least a portion of the neck promotes formation of a tight, infection-free barrier between the percutaneous access device and adjacent tissues, stabilizing the device for long-term use. The first stage of the bed retards downgrowth of epidermal cells for a time sufficient for mature collagen to form in the second stage, thereby permitting the tight dermal/biomaterial interface or barrier to form at a location near the junction of the two stages.

Percutaneous access device

Disclosed is an improved peritoneal access system for providing repeated, long term access through the peritoneum, as for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The system includes a catheter tube extending through an implantable percutaneous access device (PAD) formed of a cylindrical neck and a buttonlike annular skirt. A portion of the catheter tube external to the PAD has a bellows integrally formed therein permitting the tube to be bent and moved without restricting fluid flow or stressing the PAD. The internal portion of the catheter tube has a sharp right angle below the PAD to tunnel the tube in a subcutaneous plane to the peritoneal penetration site and a position-adjustable collar for anchoring/sealing the cathether tube near the upper surface of the peritoneum.

Peritoneal access catheter

Disclosed is a percutaneous access device (PAD) with a connector lock which facilitates replacement and removal of tubes transmitting materials to or from the body of a patient without the need for surgery and with minimal interference with an implanted PAD. The lock may include a screw ring and elastomeric seal attachable to the neck of the device through which a tube extends, and the neck has recesses in its outer surface to permit it to be tightly restrained during tightening or loosening of the lock. A flat skirt or flange provides subdermal anchoring of the buttonlike percutaneous access device, and a two-stage porous bed covering portions of the neck and skirt promotes formation of a tight dermal/biomaterial barrier near the junction of the two stages of the porous bed.

Percutaneous access device with removable tube

An inhalation device for use in breathing exercises is described. The exerciser includes a thin-walled bellows whose upper end is attached to a top housing member and whose lower end deflects upward upon withdrawal of air from an opening in the upper end of the bellows. Deflection of the bellows allows accurate measurement of the volume of air inhaled by a patient and a true indication whether an inhaled breath is being held. Slotted support arms connecting the top housing member and a bottom housing member permit collapse of the device for storage and shipment of the exerciser as a compact unit. A weight attached to the lower end of the bellows provides a biasing force to assure return of the bellows to a fully extended position even after long-term storage of the device in collapsed form.

Inhalation exerciser

An inhalation device for use in respiratory therapy is described. The inhalation device or incentive breathing exerciser includes an inner bellows whose deflection allows accurate measurement of the initial volume of air inhaled by a patient and an outer bellows for measuring larger volumes of air after a valve in the inner bellows opens. The exerciser permits measurement of the true volume of air inhaled by a patient and is equipped with a simple timer for measuring the interval of time an inhaled breath is held. Removable handles and the flexible bellows permit collapse of the device for storage and shipment as a compact unit.

Growing community of inventors

Chelmsford, MA, United States of America

Victor L Poirier